School's Out!

School's Out!

June 3, 2020

Sitting in front of my senior-year locker for the last time.

It seems so surreal to know that on Monday, I walked the empty hallways of my high school (as a student) for the last time. This was not what goodbye was supposed to look like. Smiles were hidden behind masks, hugs had to travel through the air, and congratulations were muted by the fabric covering our faces. Many of our teachers had already travelled back to the United States on humanitarian flights, and in general, the school felt deserted and devoid of its usual lively, loving atmosphere.

As I emptied my locker, I felt like I was opening a time capsule. Outside my locker, I saw the pictures we had laminated of our first day of school, and of our opening brunch. We were supposed to have so many other events that would be remembered on our locker doors. Inside my locker, it was as if time had not passed. I found the notes teachers and students had written us for Good Neighbor Day. I found the script I had written for the senior play, parts of my costume for the spring play, lesson plans for my elective, and books that I would never open again. These were remnants of things that were supposed to be, but weren't.

Of course, it is very difficult to close the year like this. We know that we won't get a redo, because we are now alumni moving on to the next step into our lives. Every year before this, I knew what was coming after summer vacation. On August 7, we would arrive at school for the picnic, meet our new teachers, check out our books and organize them in new lockers.

Now, there is some uncertainty in what comes next. I will be in a different country, making new friends, taking exciting classes and creating fun memories. As I pass the remaining pages of my school chapter, I look forward to the next one with anticipation while simultaneously holding a space for grief and increasing closure. Nevertheless, I am thankful for every moment I spent at school and every person who had a role in my growth. In the eloquent words of Winnie-the-Pooh: "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." I am so glad that my experiences and friendships will be memories I will always cherish--even the end of my senior year with its ups and downs.

Despite our unconventional senior year, I am thankful and I will choose to rejoice in what the Lord has done. He has been faithful in every moment. I have been reflecting on Philippians 4, where Paul says "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice," and goes on to urge the church in Philippi to leave behind their anxiety and pray. That would bring them the "peace of God, which surpasses all understanding" and guard their hearts. I will choose to rejoice in what He has so generously given me, and I will leave all my worries about the future at his feet. In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul not only tells the church to rejoice always, but to be thankful. I think that being thankful is key to rejoicing. It is so important right now to remain grateful, because that will remind us of what God has given us instead of what we feel we are lacking.

I am grateful for getting to say goodbye to my friends, no matter how short the moment was. I am thankful for all of the teachers who adjusted to teaching online, and for all the faculty who committed to giving us closure from our school experience. There is so much more, but as I am closing this season those are some big things that blessed me.

My prayer for this graduation season in many schools around the world to be a time of blessing. Through all the uncertainty, I hope that God will reveal himself in special ways to all of us. I pray this time will make all of us stronger, braver, and even more appreciative of every moment as we move on to college. I also pray for the students who are still in school, that they will learn a lot from what is going on in the world and desire to change it for Jesus

I encourage you to be thankful for every situation that we encounter, even those that don't seem so easy to be thankful about. Remember to be grateful to God always, and He will fill you with His peace and joy. He is faithful, and He will always be.

Yours truly,

Isa

Had to take off my mask for a bit!